2001 Saab 9-3 CONVERTIBLE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
24 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
70,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2001 model year. Data snapshot: . 14 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System:Ignition:Module is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 24 complaints (16.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system concerns | 6 | 25.0% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 8.3% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 8.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 8.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 4.2% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System:Ignition:Module | 4 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 3 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2 |
| Wheels:Rim | 2 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 1 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 1 |
Electrical System:Ignition:Module: 4; Electrical System: 3; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings: 3; Electrical System:Ignition: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling: 2; Wheels:Rim: 2; Air Bags:Frontal: 1; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 1
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 10 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 5 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 4 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
2001: 1; 2002: 2; 2003: 2; 2004: 5; 2005: 1; 2006: 4; 2007: 2; 2008: 2; 2009: 3; 2010: 1; 2013: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System:Ignition:Module leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 6 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10067146 · 2004-04-08 (April 8, 2004)
VEHICLE LEAKED FUEL AT AN ALARMING RATE. *PH THERE WAS A LEAK COMING FROM THE FUEL PUMP LINE. FUEL PRESSURE WAS FOUND AND THE HOSE AT THE PUMP BLOWN (CLIP BROKEN). THE FUEL ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED. *SC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10067146 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10097868 · 2004-11-22 (November 22, 2004)
THE VEHICLE HAS A FUEL LEAK. THE FITTING THAT GOES ON THE FUEL PUMP IS CRACKED. WHEN THE VEHICLE LEAKED IT WOULD RUN ALONG THE GAS LINE WHICH WAS NEAR THE EXHAUST PIPE. THE HEAT FROM THE EXHAUST COULD CAUSE A FIRE IF CONTACT WAS MADE. *AK *SC
Owner-reported narrative. 35,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10097868 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10161597 · 2006-06-29 (June 29, 2006)
CONSUMER 2001 SAAB 93 STALLED. *TS PRIOR TO RECEIVING THE RECALL NOTICE, THE CONSUMER HAD ALREADY PAID FOR THE REPAIRS AND HAS SINCE REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT, HOWEVER THE MANUFACTURER REQUESTED A COPY OF THE CONSUMERS CHECK AS PROOF THAT THE REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE CONSUMER REFUSED TO SEND THEM A COPY OF HIS CHECK. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10161597 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10275673 · 2009-07-02 (July 2, 2009)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SAAB 9-3 CONVERTIBLE. IN 2006, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 103-7-22538. THERE WERE NO FAILURES AT THE TIME; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE TO PREVENT THE RECALL CONSEQUENCE. IN 2007, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT DID NOT FEEL THE NEED TO FILE A COMPLAINT AT THAT TIME. SINCE THE BEGINNING OF 2009, THE VEHICLE HAS FREQUENTLY BEEN STALLING AND IS A MAJOR INCONVENIENCE. ON JUNE 10, 2009, THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FOR THE STALLING IS…
Owner-reported narrative. 165,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10275673 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10184453 · 2007-03-07 (March 7, 2007)
THE SEAT BELT ON MY 2001 SAAB 93 WILL NOT WORK. I AM UNABLE TO PULL THE STRAP OUT FROM THE SIDE OF THE CAR. I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL SAAB DEALER THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD COST $700.00 TO FIX. MY CAR IS ONLY 6 YEARS OLD, NOT ONLY DID THE SEAT BELT STOP WORKING BUT THE ABS SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $3200.00. ALL OF THESE REPAIRS SEEM TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE THAT COST AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF MONEY. I THINK THAT SAAB SHOULD REPAIR AT THE VERY LEAST THE SEAT BELT WHICH I AM CURRENTLY DRIVING WITHOUT. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10184453 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 764885 · 2002-07-29 (July 29, 2002)
THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN NOTHING, BUT PROBLEMS SINCE DAY ONE. THE RIMS HAVE BENT ON TWO OCCASIONS, THE REAR STRUTS HAD TO BE REPLACED, BRAKE FLUID NEEDED TO BE ADDED AND THE BRAKE PADS HAD TO BE REPLACED ALL WITHIN ONE YEAR OF OWNING THE VEHICLE. THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAW SUITE CONCERNIG THE WHEEL RIMS. EVERYTIME THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN WE ARE FEARFUL THAT THE WHEEL RIMS ARE GOING TO BEND AGAIN. THIS CAUSES PROBLEMS ON THE WEAR AND TEAR OF THE TIRES AS WELL.ALSO THE FUEL TANK IS LINKING FLUID. THIS VEHCILE IS A LEMON. IT LOOKS GOOD, BUT IT I…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 764885 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10043261 · 2003-10-20 (October 20, 2003)
AT 75 MPH ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY, MY CAR SIMPLY SHUT DOWN, ENGINE WOULD NOT RESTART. HAD TO COAST ACROSS THREE LANES OF BUSY TRAFFIC TO GET TO SHOULDER. CAR WOULD NOT RESTART, BURNING ELECTRICAL SMELL AND SMOKE CAME FROM ENGINE. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, WHERE FAILED THE CASSETTE WAS DIAGNOSED. IS STILL IN SHOP 4 DAYS LATER. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON FOR 8 MONTHS, HAVE BEEN TOLD REPEATEDLY BY SAAB THAT IT'S BECAUSE I AM NOT TIGHTENING THE GAS CAP ENOUGH. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON, AS USUAL, BUT I IGNORED IT, AS IT'S ON HALF THE …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10043261 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10281965 · 2009-08-27 (August 27, 2009)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SAAB 9-3 CONVERTIBLE. THE ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ILLUMINATED FOR 3 WEEKS. A MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE FAILURE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MECHANIC ALSO CONFIRMED THAT THE SPARK PLUGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 05V399000 PE05017 NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE05017 COMPONENT: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE IS RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY RISK AND THE POTENTIAL NUMBER OF UNITS AFFECTED PER THE RECALL. THE MANUFAC…
Owner-reported narrative. 74,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10281965 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10367793 · 2010-11-24 (November 24, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SAAB 9-3 CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 65 MPH WHEN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED; THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 46,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 46,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10367793 at NHTSA ↗